Grand Slam hero Ruddock honoured

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Grand Slam hero Ruddock honoured

Mike Ruddock has been rewarded for masterminding Wales' first Grand Slam triumph in 27 years with an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Ruddock, 46, will accept the honour "on behalf of the entire Welsh team and management" who helped recapture the glory days of the 1970s in dramatic fashion.

In 2005, Wales won the RBS 6 Nations title, the Grand Slam and, despite suffering a host of injuries, ended the year with a first victory over Australia since the 1987 World Cup.

"I feel hugely privileged to accept this honour on behalf of the entire Welsh team and management," said Ruddock.

"It's not about me but is a reflection of the success the team enjoyed last season.

"I am a proud Welshman, I know all the players feel huge pride in being Welsh and playing a brand of rugby that brought a smile to a vast number of people in Wales, the UK and around the world during last season's Six Nations campaign.

"The fact we brought the Grand Slam back to Wales after 27 years is truly down to every member of the team and backroom staff."

The challenge that now faces Ruddock is to maintain that success and build a new Welsh dynasty to match the legendary sides of the 1970s.

Under Clive Rowlands and then John Dawes Wales developed into one of the greatest sides in the history of rugby, winning three titles and three Grand Slams.

Rowlands was awarded an OBE in 1988 after he had been team manager when Wales finished third in the inaugural World Cup. Dawes received an OBE, along with coach Carwyn James, for his role as Lions captain on the victorious 1971 tour of New Zealand.

Ruddock has now joined his illustrious predecessors in being honoured by the Queen - but he is not content with just one Grand Slam triumph.

"We must now strive to build on that success as we move towards the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France - there is a long way to go yet to fulfil our ambitions," he said.